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Brides around the world have very different issues to worry about when planning their weddings. E VERY civilisation past and present has had traditions that are uniquely their own. This is particularly true when it comes to weddings. Regardless of whether the traditions are practiced today, they are part of a country’s unique heritage. Let’s take a look at some wedding traditions from other countries. In AFRICA, there are more than 1000 different tribes, some with traditions that date back thousands of years. Some tribal wedding traditions incorporate Christian and Islamic infl uences, resulting in large weddings that can last for days. Despite all the diversity in tribes, there are some customs that are common throughout Africa. Among one of the most common is jumping the broom, which originated during the Civil War in the Deep South when slaves weren’t allowed to get married and another ceremony had to be invented. In this tradition, a broom is put on the fl oor and the couple jumps over it, symbolising the sweeping away of the old and starting new. It is not uncommon in African communities for the bride to receive training in how to be a good wife. As part of that training, the bride learns secret codes so she can talk freely with other married women without her husband understanding what she is saying. In BERMUDA, cakes are topped with a tiny sapling. Newlyweds plant the sapling in their garden so they can watch it grow throughout their marriage. In FIJI, the groom presents the bride’s father with a whale’s tooth or tabua. This symbolises wealth and status. In FINLAND, the bride and a married man holding an umbrella to symbolise shelter and protection go from house to house with a pillowcase collecting wedding presents. At the reception, unmarried women spin around the blindfolded bride who is wearing a crown. The bride places the crown on the head of the next person to get married. In GERMANY, the couple kneels during the ceremony. The bride steps on the groom’s foot when she rises as a sign that she is asserting herself, while the groom puts his knee on the hem of her gown to show he plans on keeping her in line. In KOREA, ducks are part of the wedding procession because they mate for life. In the past, the groom would ride to the bride’s home on a white pony carrying a grey goose and gander, which also mate for life, as a symbol of his fi delity. In MALAYSIA, costumed children deliver the groom’s gifts to the bride. They carry trays of food and money folded into fl ower or animal shapes. Each wedding guest is given a decorated hard-boiled egg as a symbol of fertility. In MEXICO, the groom gives the bride 13 gold coins that are blessed by the priest during the ceremony as a sign of his unconditional commitment to support his wife. When the bride accepts the coins, she unconditionally accepts the groom’s confi dence and trust. In the PHILIPPINES, someone in the bridal party carries coins. After the rings have been exchanged, the coins are given to the groom, who then gives them to the bride, who then gives them to her maid of honour. By accepting the coins, the groom accepts his responsibility to support his wife. WP582708-MC-8/8 Because you deserve the very best Call Helen 0447 296 773 ELUSH EVENT S & AC C E S S O R Y H I R E • CH A I R CO V E R S • CA N D E L A B R A • CA N D L E S T I C K S • E A S E L A N D F R A M E S • AR C H WAY S • P E D E S TA L S • UR N S • L A N T E R N S NARELLE: 5592 5158 SANDY: 5592 2133 VICKI : 5592 1683 WS581884-MC-8/8 Warrnambool V E N T C O - O R D I N A T O R S CO M P L E T E VE N U E DE C O R AT I O N PARTYHIRE M a r q u e e s f o r w e d d i n g s Barbecues, dance fl oors, chinaware, stage, cutlery, catwalks, catering equipment, heating, glassware, tableware, marquees, chairs, tables & trestles, matting, portable toilets, exhibition and display equipment, spits and gas cooking equipment enquiries@wboolpartyhire.com.au www.wboolpartyhire.com.au 1 BRAITHWAITE STREET, WARRNAMBOOL P. 5561 2066 M: 0427 692 306 WP581885-TW-8/8 YOURWEDDING 45 WS582249.8/8.JS